30.07.04 – This weekend two different heavyweight collisions on two different continents will draw the attention of the boxing fans. In Stuttgart, Germany, Luan Krasniqi, 26-1 (13), will be making the first defense of his second reign as European heavyweight champion Saturday night. On Friday former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will celebrate his comeback against British Danny Williams in Louisville, KY, USA.
Those two far apart contests offer the unexpected chance for a cross comparison: Because in February Luan Krasniqi regained the European heavyweight title from Turkish Sinan Samil Sam who a few months earlier had beaten Danny Williams for the same EBU title.
The 33-year-old Krasniqi beat the man who beat the man against who Mike Tyson is fighting tonight.
“If Williams is keeping his concentration and pays attention in the first two rounds he has a chance against Tyson”, Krasniqi said on his former stable mate Williams. The two had numerous sparring fights some years ago when Krasniqi was living in London.
“But my suspect is that Tyson sooner or later will be able to land a big shot and then it’s over.”
Krasniqi like most heavyweight boxers would gladly take the chance to fight Mike Tyson himself.
“If I’d receive an offer to fight Tyson I wouldn’t hesitate one second”, the intelligent German said who speaks five different languages. “I respect Tyson but he is beatable now. I would use my speed and I would be extremely attentive in the first couple of rounds. After a while Tyson’s pressure will decrease. The late rounds would be my rounds.”
Krasniqi weighed in at 230 lb today inside Cinemaxx of Stuttgart, a few pounds heavier than for his recent fights.
“I added a few pounds to my weight and increased my punching power”, Krasniqi explained. “I didn’t lose my speed, though. My most important weapon is my mobility.”
His opponent Rene Monse, 14-1 (7), weighed 228 lb. Krasniqi already beat Monse over twelve rounds for the European title in January 2002.
“It will be a good fight and a tough fight”, Krasniqi predicted on their upcoming rematch. “When Monse starts to bang I will fire back.”
On the undercard two up and coming east European heavyweights will undergo serious tests against experienced warriors.
Six-foot-seven Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko, 14-0 (10), 245 lb, will take on former British champion Julius Francis, 23-17-1 (12), 269 lb, whereas Russian Ruslan Chagaev, 11-0-1 (9), 225 lb, will go to war against American Garing Lane, 22-36-2 (13).
“Dimitrenko is tall and skillful but I think he is young and inexperienced”, Francis said who just comes off losing a twelve round decision against undefeated Audley Harrison. “I will take it to him early in the fight. I definitely think I have a shot.”
Garing Lane also has his own strategy how to treat his opponent.
“Chagaev is not a mover. I like this. I like standing toe-to-toe with my opponents and trade shots. But once the guys fight me they all turn into movers”, the muscular bull-like 318 pound Lane explained.
In more heavyweight action at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle Ukrainian Taras Bidenko, 10-1 (6), 223 lb, is fighting Daniel Frank, 14-7-1 (14), 256 lb, from Brazil and Rumanian Konstantin Onofrei, 17-1 (13), 238 lb, is taking on Yugoslav Goran Gogic, 9-1-2 (5), 234 lb, for the international German title.